Archives for Mar,2019

For many of us separation comes much sooner than expected. Our needs for daily care increases. As we age our mental capacity to process information is severely diminished. Husbands and wives are at their breaking point of exhaustion taking care of their spouse. Love, honor, and cherish until death parts us would be nice. If we are not dealing with Dementia, Alzheimer (loss of mental understanding), physical range of motion, and dietary restrictions. Incontinence can be breaking point for a spouse. We even must deal with money, bills, insurance forms, doctors’ appointments, and even medication management. By the time we realize that mom or dad or having trouble with caring for each other. The money has been misted managed, medication is not being taken properly and doctors’ appointments are in disarray.

I recently did a free in home assessment for a family that was very concerned about their parent’s, April and Thomas. Their mom April has always taken care of the family. So, the kids (that are all adults now) did not concern themselves with the day to day business of their parent’s. Not until, a social worker called and told them that their dad Thomas was in the hospital over a medication mess-up. April was overwhelmed with grief, she thought she did not give Thomas his heart medication, so she dispensed it again. Thomas’ blood pressure dropped dangerously low and she had to call 911. A family meeting was called and all their kids went over their mom and dad’s house. It was shocking to all the kids what their mom has been doing for the both of them. April was 79 years old and her day to day list of things to do would put anyone to exhaustion. They needed help and fast, but they all had jobs. The decision was made to get a personal care agency company to do the heavy lifting (meal prep, housekeeping, medication remainders, grocery shopping, trips to the doctor’s, and anywhere they need to go). That’s where my company Legacy Home Care comes in. Our caregivers can do all that and more!

We developed a care plan that best suited April and Thomas. Also, we were able to work with their long term care insurance. The care plan we developed also included their children, physical therapist, and home health care. It wasn’t more than a week or 2 when they told me that Legacy Home Care was part of their family now.

My wife and I had just moved in to our new home in Las Vegas. A few days later we had a knock on our front door. “Hi I’m Rodney”. There stood before me an old man in his seventy’s. He introduced himself and his friend. They had just moved in next door and were anxious to meet all of their neighbors. I introduced myself and my wife. Rodney was quite a character. He was always quick with a joke and had a great love for life and people. I guess you can say I liked him immediately. Over the course of several days I got to know him a little better. Rodney was a senior living on Social Security. A friend of his had bought a new house in Las Vegas, and Rodney agreed to rent a room from him for $400 a month.Unfortunately, Rodney’s very small Social Security check does not cover all of his expenses. His savings, what little he had, was depleting quickly. One day Rodney asked me for a ride to his doctor’s appointment at the veteran’s administration. His car was not working and the friend he rented a room from had just asked him to find a new place. With his car on the frits and the threat of being evicted, Rodney was starting to have some serious health problems. Rodney’s cheerful dispensation had not wavered. I had asked Rodney if he was getting any financial benefits from the Veteran Affairs. Rodney told me that he served only four years in the United States Air Force and did not qualify for any financial benefits. I myself had not ever served in the military, but almost all my entire family had. I remember one of my cousins telling me about financial veterans’ benefits. I told Rodney I would look into it. What I found astonished me. He was eligible – not only for a pension but also additional money to pay for aid and attendants because of his failing health. If you are a veteran over the age of 65, living on Social Security, have an honorable discharge and ninety days of active duty, with one day of the active duty been during a time of war {Korean conflict (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955) Vietnam era (February 28, 1961 – May 7, Vietnam war – August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975 and (1975 for Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period;) Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – through a future date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation) this includes service in non-combat zones} you can receive a petition from the Veteran Affairs.

John and Rodney

Over the course of the last 5 years Rodney and I have become best friends. I have also become a Veteran Advocate. If you would like to talk with me, please reach out to me at (702) 564-2979.